Maureen Gertrude Shea Degaraff

Maureen Gertrude Shea Degaraff – On Christmas morning, God called Maureen Degaraff, age 89, to be with Him in Heaven. She departed this life on Sunday, December 25, 2022, surrounded by family when she embarked on her new journey. She passed into His hands just at the start of His birthday. She was so close to God, and her faith was so strong. She talked with Him every day, praying for everyone. Her faithfulness and spirit were truly a gift to all, and everyone who knew her felt like family. She was an amazing mom, grandma, Momo, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and more; special to all in their own way. She was faithful and caring, and she loved her family more than anything. She was a joy to all who knew her, and she was well received by Heaven. God works in mysterious ways and while her absence will be gravely felt, she’s in the best place with her loving husband, and together they are watching over us all.

Maureen was a dedicated wife, mother of two, grandmother of eight, great grandmother of four, aunt to many nieces and nephews, and a special friend to all. She was preceded by her husband, Marcel Degaraff, and is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Cathy and Ed Lindsay of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Rose and Lynn Gerhard-Degaraff of Cumming, Georgia; grandchildren, Stephen and Carisa Lindsay, Grayson, Georgia; Kevin and Melissa Lindsay, Sugar Hill, GA; Kristen and Chris Lindsay-Reid, Lawrenceville, GA; Shannon and Rebecca Gerhard-Degaraff, Denver, Colorado; great grandchildren, Cameron, Aiden, Brendan, and Francesca Lindsay; sister, Rosalie (James-deceased) Hobert, Holyoke, Massachusetts; brother Howard (June) R. Shea, Natick, Massachusetts; and loved and treasured by many nieces and nephews.

Maureen was the daughter of the late Howard W. Shea and Gertude Delaney Shea of Holyoke, Massachusetts. She was one of three children. She attended Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, and went into the nursing program at St. Jerome Hospital in Holyoke, Massachusetts. After graduating, she worked for her uncle, Dr. Edward J. McHugh in his practice. In 1955, she met the love of her life, Marcel Degaraff, and they were married in 1957. They built their home together in Granby, Massachusetts. In 1966, they moved their family to Stone Mountain, Georgia. She worked until her first grandchild was born. At that time, she decided her grandchildren would be her career. Over the years, she took care of all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Each gave her such joy, and because of her dedication to them, they never knew a babysitter. She loved to travel and do things with her family. She was always there for them. Faith and family were firmly implanted in her. She loved well and was well loved. She is smiling down on her family and friends with all of her love. She will be missed more dearly than can ever be expressed. She was our rock, an angel on earth.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 11, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 791 Tom Smith Road, Lilburn, GA 30047. Father Sunny Punnakuziyil and Deacon Mike Hayward will be presenting the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Maureen’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org. Please keep the family in your prayers.